Furoshiki is a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that was frequently used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods. Although possibly dating back as far as the Nara period, the name, meaning "bath spread", derives from the Edo period practice of using them to bundle clothes while at the sento (public baths). Before becoming associated with public baths, furoshiki was known as hiradzutsumi, or flat folded bundle. Eventually, the furoshiki's usage extended to serve as a means for merchants to transport their wares or to protect and decorate a gift.
Makezine reports the Japanese government wants people to go back to traditional furoshiki so people will not waste so much gift wrapping paper. They even published this chart reminding people how to do it. Not a bad idea.
And here, from StudyJapan , are more detailed instructions.
You can probably make your own furoshiki. Or you can buy them online from about $10 (for a 27inchX27inch (68cmX68cm) squares up to $290 for larger silk squares at Jun-Gifts.
Which raises the question of whether the recipient should keep the furoshiki or give it back to the giver?
TraditionsauJapon's quirky English version isn't completely clear:
Furoshiki EtiquetteIn Japan it is considered rude to give a gift directly by hands. To avoid a social gaffe, the furoshiki serves to this useful purpose.
However, the Etiquette is a serious thing in Japan, and currently there is a debate about whether a gift wrapped in a furoshiki could not be interpreted as the recipient is then supposed to give back a gift to the original sender wrapped in the original furoshiki. . .
Today in Japan, most guests at a wedding present the gift to the wedding in a furoshiki, but leave at home with their furoshiki to avoid any possible misunderstanding.
Worthpoint gives a more satisfying answer:
Proper etiquette requires that the giver unwrap and remove the gift from the furoshiki in the presence of the recipient but without handing the furoshiki over to them. This allows the receiver of the gift to appreciate the beauty of the furoshiki (as well as your good taste in using a old fashioned wrapping cloth) while protecting them from any sense of obligation to give a gift in return should they open the furoshiki themselves and be left holding an empty wrapping cloth.But don't believe anything you read online 100%.
Wonderful post! Thanks for passing on this excellent - and green - idea!
ReplyDeleteI did not know what I was doing with my presents-- I have a few wraps that I was doing with paper in a similar style simply because my children constantly abscond with my tape and I wrapped them well enough that my ribbon kept them together with my folds. (I have used decorative variations of Band-Aids, too, but then again, my scions run off with them!)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea and one can also buy cloth for wrapping from Jo-ann's.
I put a lot of thought into my gift bags and they become part of the gift and I get annoyed when people try to give them back to me. I like that I do something personal for the person and that they will regift the wrapping and look dazzelingly original. ;-)